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Aybar, Angels keep A's McCarthy in their thoughts

Aybar, Angels keep A's McCarthy in their thoughts

ANAHEIM -- Two days after hitting a line drive off the head of A's pitcher Brandon McCarthy, Angels shortstop Erick Aybar said on Friday that he is still trying to come to grips with what happened.

"It has been a tough last few days for me as I keep replaying in my head when the ball struck Brandon," Aybar said in a statement. "I am encouraged and thankful to know that he is making significant progress and keep praying to God to please help him recover quickly and fully.

"Our game is a tight brotherhood and right now we all wear the same uniform colors."

Aybar's hit came with two outs in the fourth inning of an eventual 7-1 win for the Halos at Oakland Coliseum.

McCarthy had surgery for a skull fracture and brain contusion on Wednesday and was in stable condition in the critical care unit at a Bay Area hospital on Thursday.

"From the moment Brandon was struck by that line drive, he has remained in our thoughts and prayers," Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said in a statement. "That support will continue for Brandon and his wife Amanda as he begins the recovery process from yesterday's surgery.